THE ETHICS OF THE PROHIBITION TARTY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13745, 9 May 1908, Page 3

THE ETHICS OF THE PROHIBITION TARTY.

•Sir, — I learned to-day that the more active members of the prohibition party have again been resort j* to the questionable practice of spying 011 the citizens of Auckland, with a view, I presume, to once more " staggering , humanity" with the astounding fact that. lust. Saturday night several Aueklanders were actually seen to enter the licensed premises | known .-is hotels, and it is assumed that their deliberate intention in doing so was to purchase liquid refreshment. But while these prohibitionist tactics have their ridiculous aspect, (hey have, also to be considered as indefensible ami highly reprehensible practices, It is abominable to think that, one-cannot., quite legitimately, enter a re-spectably-conducted hotel without being spied 011 by these absurd folks. They , talk ever So vehemently of the degrading effects of drink, but somehow fail to consider the [ way they themselves demoralise decent in- ] dividuals by initiating them into a despicable system of espionage. One can try and , imagine what a charming place this would become if this section were able to inflict ■ their will upon the community. J']veil if ' one assumes that they are as virtuous and | impeccable, as they .so loudly proclaim, it is still doubtful if they would appreciate their own methods being applied- to them- ' selves, The leaders of this movement may i . be training up a valuable reserve for our I future detective force, but their followers arc ; hardly likely to become desirable citizens. ■ As Iluxley once put it. " though tfulness for | others, generosity, modesty, and self-respect are the qualities which make a real gentle-' [ man," and a party which deliberately vio- ; lates every virtue in this sage remark will hardlv, be surprised if their tactics' excite - the diegust and contempt of every-decent : individual. I'kucv E. AxmsKW. t Devonpoi't, May 5. -